Report: Cowboys have interviewed Rex Ryan for defensive coordinator opening
Add another name to the list of candidates to become the Cowboys’ next defensive coordinator. And this one might knock your socks off.
Former New York Jets head coach and current ESPN studio analyst Rex Ryan has interviewed for the position, according to multiple reports.
Ryan last coached the Buffalo Bills in 2015 and 2016; he was fired with one game remaining in the 2016 regular season. He coached the Jets for six seasons prior to that stint and amassed a 61-66 overall record as a head coach.
But Ryan- like his father, the legendary Buddy Ryan- made his bones as a defensive strategist, spending ten years in Baltimore as D-line coach, defensive coordinator, and assistant head coach. He earned a Super Bowl ring as one of the masterminds of the famed 2000 Ravens defense.
New: I'm told former #Jets and #Bills head coach Rex Ryan interviewed for the #Cowboys vacant defensive coordinator job, per sources. pic.twitter.com/EOMjnpKvnT
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) February 7, 2024
Cowboys fans will be familiar with Rex’s fraternal twin brother Rob, who was the defensive coordinator in Dallas in 2011 and 2012, the first two seasons of the Jason Garrett era.
Rex’s name has not been in the mainstream hopper for any of the other openings in this (or recent) hiring cycles, but the idea of him making a return to the sidelines- and doing it in Dallas- makes perfect sense, to at least one observer.
NFL veteran, ex-Dallas receiver, and current Cowboys analyst Isaiah Stanback loves the prospective fit.
“He’s able to connect with this generation of players with his personality,” Stanback said this week on Talkin’ Cowboys of the 61-year-old Ryan. “High-energy guy, still disciplined, allows guys to be themselves. … He’s humble enough to be at that level with them but still demand excellence.”
Stanback also offered an unexpected compliment that puts Ryan on a completely different plane, in his mind, than any of the other coaches of his era.
“Having been in the league and having been in a lot of meeting rooms with a lot of great players, seeing the preparation and coaches,” Stanback continued, “I’ve never seen any offensive coordinator/head coach/quarterback have to prepare more for any other D-coordinator outside of Rex Ryan. Hands down. The stuff that he was bringing to the table, the stuff that he was doing in the games was absolutely insane.”
Ryan is the third known candidate so far with previous head coaching experience. Mike Zimmer and Ron Rivera have also been interviewed by the team for the job vacated recently by Dan Quinn. Current defensive line coach Aden Durde has had an official interview as well.
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